Transcendence
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2006
- Messages
- 2,505
So what are the best countries in which to teach English abroad? Japan? I assume it's much more difficult to get a job teaching English in Europe than Asia?
-
Life Advice & Visual Arts
Posting Rules Bluelight Rules 🌌 Share Your Dreams! 🌌 📸 15 Years of Photo Contests 📸 -
LAVA Moderator: Shinji Ikari
Travel The MEGA Travel Thread!
- Thread starter Jamshyd
- Start date
The_Idler
Bluelighter
Yeah I'm going train all the way, except cambodja, apparently the train line is off/deceased.
@Jamshyd. how far in advance do you mean? I wasn't planning on booking any tickets until i got to each city, but I was planning to buy all my tickets from BKK-SIN in Bangkok, where I should be spending a few days... reasonable?
@Jamshyd. how far in advance do you mean? I wasn't planning on booking any tickets until i got to each city, but I was planning to buy all my tickets from BKK-SIN in Bangkok, where I should be spending a few days... reasonable?
rachamim
Bluelighter
Chrissie: If you want cheap digs it depends where you go. You can live on 3 US a day far off the tourist trail, or in Laos and Cambodia though it won't be particulary fun.
Cost is dependant upon many things but first and foremost upon location. Thailand has been done to death and most of the well trodden places know what the Dollar, Pound and Euro are worth.
I say it until I am blue in the face but for the life of me, anyone looking for "extra-curricular" activities should be doing so in Cambodia. In Thailand you run the risk of having those compassionate Thai police grabbing your passport and exacting some urine from you, and IF you give a positive...well let's just say its not a very fun place these days even on the right side of the law. Thailand? Right from that beautiful new airpoty grab a cab to Aran and walk quickly over the border into Poi Pet, Cambodia, 7 hours later you can be standing in you 3 US a night room completer with punched out mosquito net, looking through the slats in your room at beautiful Beong Keok Lake, and in a country where they serve it on pizza...beats Thailand any day of the week.
When I was younger, I remember older folks in Thailand telling me about the good old days during Nam, blah, blah and blah and me, the wide one that I was laughing on the onside but now, I have the urge to say the same about the late 80s. Still, ever since they began executing drug dealers in the street, in daylight, I wrote Thailand off.
When mates who have not been there in years ask me about Thailand I tell them the true story of that poor Englishman who self-published a book and sold all of 7 copies. The book was a terrible allegory that he clamed, to 1 of those lucky 7, related to the Thai monarchy. Well, deciding to go home he checked in at the airport and was grabbed by police for insulting the King. He got 3 years but was parodned after 11 months.
Cambodia on the other hand does not touch foreigners, generally speaking, and if they do you very easily buy your way out. The country is absolutely desperate for hard currency (the US dollar is the de facto currency, they rather have it than the riel), so that it never risks enstranging foreigners. Street 93 is still a blast, and a great room is still only 5 to 15 US a night (World Star on Monviong can't be beat).
On Nam (I can't believe someone actually called Ho Chi "Saigon"), the person who labelled it depressing happens to be correct. It is probablly the worst in the SE mainland when it comes to hucksters and tricksters. I mean PP in Cambodia can get on your nerves with motodaps begging for dollars but Ho Chi? Everyone tries to get their hands in those pockets, sometimes quite literally.
If you have time and the inclination, go see Champa, great history, big Hindu Kingdom, was Islamicised and then conquered by the people we now call Viet Namese, forget the Mekong, been done to death and the delta is suffering from El Nino something terrible.
If you want to see the river take a fast boat from PP to Siem Reap in Cambodia, forget the bottom.
Much to do if you plan the trup well.
Cost is dependant upon many things but first and foremost upon location. Thailand has been done to death and most of the well trodden places know what the Dollar, Pound and Euro are worth.
I say it until I am blue in the face but for the life of me, anyone looking for "extra-curricular" activities should be doing so in Cambodia. In Thailand you run the risk of having those compassionate Thai police grabbing your passport and exacting some urine from you, and IF you give a positive...well let's just say its not a very fun place these days even on the right side of the law. Thailand? Right from that beautiful new airpoty grab a cab to Aran and walk quickly over the border into Poi Pet, Cambodia, 7 hours later you can be standing in you 3 US a night room completer with punched out mosquito net, looking through the slats in your room at beautiful Beong Keok Lake, and in a country where they serve it on pizza...beats Thailand any day of the week.
When I was younger, I remember older folks in Thailand telling me about the good old days during Nam, blah, blah and blah and me, the wide one that I was laughing on the onside but now, I have the urge to say the same about the late 80s. Still, ever since they began executing drug dealers in the street, in daylight, I wrote Thailand off.
When mates who have not been there in years ask me about Thailand I tell them the true story of that poor Englishman who self-published a book and sold all of 7 copies. The book was a terrible allegory that he clamed, to 1 of those lucky 7, related to the Thai monarchy. Well, deciding to go home he checked in at the airport and was grabbed by police for insulting the King. He got 3 years but was parodned after 11 months.
Cambodia on the other hand does not touch foreigners, generally speaking, and if they do you very easily buy your way out. The country is absolutely desperate for hard currency (the US dollar is the de facto currency, they rather have it than the riel), so that it never risks enstranging foreigners. Street 93 is still a blast, and a great room is still only 5 to 15 US a night (World Star on Monviong can't be beat).
On Nam (I can't believe someone actually called Ho Chi "Saigon"), the person who labelled it depressing happens to be correct. It is probablly the worst in the SE mainland when it comes to hucksters and tricksters. I mean PP in Cambodia can get on your nerves with motodaps begging for dollars but Ho Chi? Everyone tries to get their hands in those pockets, sometimes quite literally.
If you have time and the inclination, go see Champa, great history, big Hindu Kingdom, was Islamicised and then conquered by the people we now call Viet Namese, forget the Mekong, been done to death and the delta is suffering from El Nino something terrible.
If you want to see the river take a fast boat from PP to Siem Reap in Cambodia, forget the bottom.
Much to do if you plan the trup well.
Jamshyd
Bluelight Crew
I actually do not know much about vietnam, so take Spade's advice before mine.
But in the case of Thailand/Malaysia/Singapore, I've had serious problems with filled up trains throughout Thailand and into Malaysia (and back), and so did several of my friends. It is probably not as bad on the Malaysia - Singapore end, but in Thailand I've had trains booked full for up to 3 weeks (thus necessitating my using other forms of travel). This is particularly problematic when university terms end or when there are national holidays.
Btw, for Malaysia, try to spend a few days in Penang. A charming little place full of culture and great food.
Rachamim has very good advice too, btw. And I agree that Cambodia is the most interesting of the bunch (if that's what he was implying).
TheSpade
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2005
- Messages
- 37,782
Best in what sense? Japan, Vietnam and Korea pay the most apparently.
Sometimes in Thailand etc it can be quicker to get a coach / bus than train and is more convenient. You'd be fine just buying them in BKK, I'm sure of it.
If drugs are an important factor then yeah Cambodia and Laos are probably better bets though there's no shortage of drugs down on the Southern Thai islands and a better selection too, as well as the usual suspects opium, weed and mushies you can get some yabba, mdma, acid, ketamine, dmt etc.
Everyone knows not to insult the Royal family though, bad move.
You'll find the locals still call it Saigon. I didn't encounter any tricksters as such but someones always trying to sell you something and if you don't want that they'll try and find something you do. Gets very annoying that you can't sit in a bar or restaurant for more than 2 minutes without someone planting a load of books, watches, lighters, whatever down on your table and hassling you to buy.
Thailand is still my fave country in SE Asia, there's so much fun to be had there and it's totally diverse. Plenty of history and culture as well as the nightlife and partying. Great people too and the sexiest women in SE Asia.
junctionalfunkie
Bluelighter
I'm finally going.
I'll be in Phuket for TESOL course October 11.
:D
I'll be in Phuket for TESOL course October 11.
:D
brandy42
Ex-Bluelighter
Good for you. Only patpong is a bit dodgy. Its harder to buy a beer than a girl (which is not always wanted). There are loads of small islands off the Southern tip of Phuket !!
And you can stand where that famous actor Di'Capprio stood. They will show you !
And you can stand where that famous actor Di'Capprio stood. They will show you !
brandy42
Ex-Bluelighter
I want to next see Cambodia's famous Temples. Going to wait a while....
justsayknow
Bluelighter
Hey it sounds like you are pretty familiar with the area and the scene. Can you interpret some local drug slang for me?
I was in the south and walking past the long tail boatmen who were all spruiking tickets to various destinations. At the far end of the boats was another guy who asked me if I wanted "tickets to the moon". I assumed he was talking about mushrooms but when I asked him the price it was many many times higher than you would pay for a mushroom smoothie at the local bar. Did I unknowingly turn down an offer of opium or heroin? Is "going to the moon" slang for anything in particular that you are aware of?
Jamshyd
Bluelight Crew
^ He is probably referring to actual tickets to the full-moon party.
justsayknow
Bluelighter
Nah it was definitley drugs. The hushed tones, and shifty mannerisms were all in keeping with dealings of an illicit nature. Also when I heard the exorbidant price I asked him how much was in the deal and if I could see the goods. He wouldnt show me so I kept walking.
Maybe it was just his way of asking if I wanted to get high. 10 points for his marketing style though.
Maybe it was just his way of asking if I wanted to get high. 10 points for his marketing style though.
Jamshyd
Bluelight Crew
As a rule, if drug slang is going to develop in a given place, it develops in the local language (it is slang, after all) unless the slang is imported from elsewhere with the drug itself. To my knowledge, "tickets to the moon" is not slang for drugs anywhere in the world. I really doubt it is a drug-slang. Most Thais don't know enough English to be able to speak idiomatically and formulate drug slang.
As for the shady mannerism and exorbitant price - of course, this is Thailand! The land where men rent you their wives! And you must have missed the 300% farang tax
.
But I could be wrong.
As for the shady mannerism and exorbitant price - of course, this is Thailand! The land where men rent you their wives! And you must have missed the 300% farang tax
.But I could be wrong.
justsayknow
Bluelighter
His english wasn't too bad at all leading me to believe he was some sort of shyster for sure.
The seamless blending in to the boatman line worked well though. You want to go to Phi Phi? You want to go to Krabi? You want to go to the moon? It fits in perfectly!
I think your probably right about the farang tax too!
The seamless blending in to the boatman line worked well though. You want to go to Phi Phi? You want to go to Krabi? You want to go to the moon? It fits in perfectly!
I think your probably right about the farang tax too!
Jamshyd
Bluelight Crew
Travel in Central America (inc. Mexico)
It looks like Central America and Mexico will be figuring into my life sometime by the end of this year. I'd like to hear people's experiences travelling there. What did you like? What did you not like? any info would be great. Also, tips for where to go...etc. are awesome.
Also, if you've backpacked, how do describe the backpacker scene? I am somewhat used to the "vibe" of the scene in the area between Vietnam and India, which is more or less consistent. I remember finding the scene in the Balkans to be somewhat different. I imagine that C. America will also be different as well.
I am hoping to eventually make it through all of the countries, eventually settling in one of them if I find a good teaching job.
It looks like Central America and Mexico will be figuring into my life sometime by the end of this year. I'd like to hear people's experiences travelling there. What did you like? What did you not like? any info would be great. Also, tips for where to go...etc. are awesome.
Also, if you've backpacked, how do describe the backpacker scene? I am somewhat used to the "vibe" of the scene in the area between Vietnam and India, which is more or less consistent. I remember finding the scene in the Balkans to be somewhat different. I imagine that C. America will also be different as well.
I am hoping to eventually make it through all of the countries, eventually settling in one of them if I find a good teaching job.
TheSpade
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2005
- Messages
- 37,782
I'm interested to hear about this too, definitely on my 'to do' list.
I know what you mean about the backpacker scene in the Balkans, not quite as fun as SE Asia eh? Lack of proper hostels really, the ones that are there aren't up to much either. I'm glad I had a mate to travel that region with.
I know what you mean about the backpacker scene in the Balkans, not quite as fun as SE Asia eh? Lack of proper hostels really, the ones that are there aren't up to much either. I'm glad I had a mate to travel that region with.
Jerry Atrick
Bluelight Crew
I spent 6 weeks in Mexico for a Study Abroad summer semester during undergrad. I didn't do any backpacking but every weekend while the other dumbasses from my college were sleeping off hangovers, I was on a bus to visit some ruins. Here's a list of the places I visited:
1) Teotihuacan which is a huge pyramid-ruin about 30 miles north of Mexico City. Archaeologists don't know anything about the people who built this ruin but they do know they disappeared mysteriously and later the Aztecs sort of took it over.
2) Inside Mexico City you have to visit the National Museum of Anthropology. IIRC it's one of the biggest museums in the world. Also the ruin of Tenochtitlan (the Aztec capitol) is in Mexico City in La Plaza de las Tres Culturas. It's called that because there are Aztec pyramid ruins, Spanish cathedrals from the conquest, and modern skyscrapers all in one area.
3) Even though it's more modern, you should tour the Palacio Nacional in Mexico City as well. On the inside walls it has enormous murals by Diego Rivera that recount the history of Mexico from the ancient indigenous people through the Spanish conquest up to the 20th century.
4) In the state of Puebla, the town of Cholula, is El Gran Piramide. It is the tallest pyramid in this hemisphere. Most of it is covered in dirt but they have a tunnel that goes inside and on top of it is a Spanish-built church/museum.
5) Prolly the coolest ruin I went to was at Xochicalco. It is a very large Aztec ruin and has a really cool ballcourt inside where they played the precursor to futbol and the winners would be sacrificed as an honor.
6) Another cool Aztec ruin was at Tepoztlan. There is a main road that goes through the middle of the town, follow the road and you'll find a trail that leads up a hill. Hike up the hill and there is a pyramid on top where you can view the town below and see for miles. BTW, inside the town there was a restaurant owned by an artist who copies Salvador Dali paintings and the paintings are hanging along the inside walls of the restaurant...pretty neat.
Off the top of my head, those are most of the places I visited that summer in Mexico. There's also Taxco which is a silver mine town that also houses the world's largest outdoor flea market; I bought a sick domino set there made of wood that has sterling silver dots for like $50 USD. Another Aztec ruin I wanted to visit but didn't have time to is in Xochimilco.
Have fun %)
1) Teotihuacan which is a huge pyramid-ruin about 30 miles north of Mexico City. Archaeologists don't know anything about the people who built this ruin but they do know they disappeared mysteriously and later the Aztecs sort of took it over.
2) Inside Mexico City you have to visit the National Museum of Anthropology. IIRC it's one of the biggest museums in the world. Also the ruin of Tenochtitlan (the Aztec capitol) is in Mexico City in La Plaza de las Tres Culturas. It's called that because there are Aztec pyramid ruins, Spanish cathedrals from the conquest, and modern skyscrapers all in one area.
3) Even though it's more modern, you should tour the Palacio Nacional in Mexico City as well. On the inside walls it has enormous murals by Diego Rivera that recount the history of Mexico from the ancient indigenous people through the Spanish conquest up to the 20th century.
4) In the state of Puebla, the town of Cholula, is El Gran Piramide. It is the tallest pyramid in this hemisphere. Most of it is covered in dirt but they have a tunnel that goes inside and on top of it is a Spanish-built church/museum.
5) Prolly the coolest ruin I went to was at Xochicalco. It is a very large Aztec ruin and has a really cool ballcourt inside where they played the precursor to futbol and the winners would be sacrificed as an honor.
6) Another cool Aztec ruin was at Tepoztlan. There is a main road that goes through the middle of the town, follow the road and you'll find a trail that leads up a hill. Hike up the hill and there is a pyramid on top where you can view the town below and see for miles. BTW, inside the town there was a restaurant owned by an artist who copies Salvador Dali paintings and the paintings are hanging along the inside walls of the restaurant...pretty neat.
Off the top of my head, those are most of the places I visited that summer in Mexico. There's also Taxco which is a silver mine town that also houses the world's largest outdoor flea market; I bought a sick domino set there made of wood that has sterling silver dots for like $50 USD. Another Aztec ruin I wanted to visit but didn't have time to is in Xochimilco.
Have fun %)
spork
Bluelight Crew
Please go to the sloth sanctuary in Costa Rica so I can vicariously live through you.
MynameisnotDeja
Bluelight Crew
Cool! We are thinking of heading to C. America this winter too. Would be randomly awesome to end up seeing you again!
I'll PM you
LoveAlways
Bluelighter
I was born in Mexico City and have lived in various parts of Mexico sporatically, and visited at least once a year for 20 yrs. I haven't been in about 5 yrs but I wouldn't reccomend backpacking, rent a POS car or take a bus.